Monday, March 29, 2010

Each year on April 25, the Australian and New Zealand Embassies commemorate ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corps) Day to recognise the sacrifices that Australian and New Zealand soldiers, sailors and airmen and women have made - not only in defending their country, but in upholding their nation's longstanding commitment to peace and security.

It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War, with the landing at Gallipoli, Turkey. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day. For more information on Anzac Day, please visit

To mark this special occasion for 2010, the Australian and New Zealand Embassies are co-hosting a program of events to which all are welcome. These events include:

The Rising Spirit of ANZAC -A photographic journey

The great ANZAC tradition grew out of the personal qualities of ordinary men and women who served and sacrificed in the Great War. ANZAC defines what it is to be Australian. Every April 25, generations of Australians pause to honour and remember the sacrifices made by others. The Rising Spirit of ANZAC exhibition by Sharyn Meade records the personal stories of Australian veterans, in words and images, through successive generations.

The embassies of Australia and New Zealand, in partnership with the United States Department of Labor, will host a Dawn Service on the grassy area adjacent to the Korean Veterans War Memorial, which is located near the Lincoln Memorial, off Independence Ave, Washington DC.

NB. Car parking is available on Ohio Drive, in the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Park, a short walk from the Korean Veterans War Memorial. Comfortable shoes are recommended, as personnel are required to stand on the grass area.

Those of you who would like to attend the Dawn Service and Gunfire Breakfast but rely on the Metro or have concerns about security can contact us (Dave Ward - dmpward@wwdb.org or 202-3520-8550) and we will see if will see if we can help with alternative arrangements.

Gunfire Breakfast: Sunday 25 April 7.15 - 9.15am:

At the conclusion of the Dawn Service, the Australian Embassy, in partnership with the New Zealand Embassy, will host a Gunfire Breakfast at the Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington DC

A door charge of $10.00 per person (adults and children 12 and over) will be levied to cover catering costs. Those who would like to attend the ‘Gunfire’ Breakfast must R.S.V.P by e-mail to: Those who would like to attend this breakfast must RSVP by email to: nzdsrs@nzdswashington.com or by telephone to: 202 328 4803. Please provide the full names of all those attending.

Guests may pre-pay by check, enclosing the name/s and number/s of attendees, payable to: New Zealand Embassy. Mail the payment to:

Please bring photo ID for access to the Embassy. There is limited street parking available around the Embassy.

Commemorative Service: Monday 26 April at 10:30am

The Embassy of Australia in partnership with the Embassy of New Zealand will host a Cathedral Service to commemorate ANZAC Day at the Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW, Washington DC. (Seating by 10am is advised).More information on ANZAC Day events in Washington DC can be found here

All sub branch members and friends are encouraged to attend. Please be sure to RSVP where appropriate.

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We are the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL), Washington, DC sub-branch.
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About Us

The RSL is a group of Australian and American veterans and their friends who meet monthly at the Australian Embassy in Washington, DC. Any questions please feel free to contact us at info (at) rsl-dc (dot) com